Adjustable stroke lubricant dispensing valve



F. c. PARADls'E 2,643,678

ADJUSTABLE STROKE LUBRICANT DISPENSING VALVE 3 Sheets-Sheet l New@mmmJune 30, 1953 Filed sept. 16, 1949 June 30, 1953 F. c. PARADISEADJUSTABLE STROKE LUBRICANT DISPENSING VALVE y 3 Sheets-Sheet 5` Filedsept. 1e, 1949 w s. ,r e We w 0 n wm f d y n m www www www www Je a wwwwww ww l- Il, .s Z NWN @WN nfl# J v www.\`A a www www www www ww E .w..5 uw w www www 7l/ w A m .www M NNN wm um www www W www www www ,E NwNr//n m @NN ZIM/AZT ...v JIT www mrow W w .www www. Q. Q www www www wwwWMV/Am www wwwx www www. uw www .WWW x .v1\ .Qhw \\'Ii WWNJWV Qu .QN I.l1-+ m www Q \`M\\`Mmm N n l n QN ,www .um hw l www ww www PatentedJune 30, 1953 time ADJUSTABLE sTRoKELUBRIoANT msPENsING VALVE Francis C.Paradise, Fox Lake, Ill., assignor to 'Stewart-Warner Corporation,Chicago, Ill., a vcorporation of Virginia ApplicationSeptember 16,1949,3Serial No. 115,985

Claims; (Cl. 137-749) The present invention relates to lubricatingapparatus and more particularly to a valve operable to dispenselubricant froina high pressure source in separate shots of substantiallyequal volume or in a continuous low under the control of an operator.

Certain machinery such as automotive vehicles have a relatively largenumber vof bearings periodically requiring relatively small charges oflubricant of substantially the Asame volumel to lubricate the same, andother parts which require a relatively large volume of lubricant. Thecontrol valve of the present invention is designed especially for use inservice stations for automotive vehicles or for lubrication of machineryof the above mentioned type and particularly where it may be desirableto vary the volume of the small charge from time to time.

Accordingly an object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedcontrol valve for a lubricant dispensing apparatus for dispensinglubricant in predetermined quantities or shots of relatively small andsubstantially equal volume upon successive operations of the valve.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved controlvalve for lubricant dispensing apparatus which is adjustable to cause asubstantially measured charge or shot of lubricant to be delivered eachtime the valve is operated or to cause a continuous flow of lubricant tobe delivered.

A further object of the. invention is to provide a new and improvedcontrol valve of the type set forth in the foregoing objects which isadjustable to vary the volume of the charges or shots delivered by thevalve. *A

A still further object of the invention is to p rovide a new andimproved control valve of the metering type for a lubricant dispensingapparatus which lends itself readily to manufacture by mass productionmethods so that it is inexpensive, but which nevertheless is durable,efficient and easily operated, and which may readily be disassembled andreassembled for inspection, cleaning andrepair. K

These andother objects, advantages and capabilities of the inventionwill become apparent from the following description in which referenceis had to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view'oi` a control valveembodying the principles of the present invention;

. Fig..2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the'line V2---2 oflFigll;

FigB is a fragmentary' vertical sectional view similar to Fig. ibut onan enlarged scale showing the mechanism by means of which the volume ofthe shot dispensed by the control valvemay be varied, the mechanismbeing in the position it assumes when theoperating handle is atinoperative position; Y

Fig. '4 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 1 showing theparts in the position they assume when the operating handle of thecontrol valve is operated to cause a shot of lubricant to be disen'sed;

Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal sectional viewof a modified form ofcontrol valve with the parts inthe position theyassume when the handleis at inoperative position;

. Fig. 6 is a'vhorizontal sectional View taken on the line 6 6 of Fig.5;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional View similar to Fig. 5 but showing theoperating mechanism in the position'it assumes when the handle isoperated to cause a shot of lubricant to be dispensed;

-Fig. 8 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of a furthermodiiication of the invention;

Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional View taken on the line 9-9 ofFig; 8;and

Fig. l0 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 8 but showing theplunger operating mechanism inthe'position it assumes when the handleisk operated to cause a shot of lubricant to be dispensed.

The preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed in Figs. 1 4comprises a body member l2 conformed to provide a pistol grip handle Itand having a bore E6 of nonuniform diameter extending through the sameto provide a passageway for the iiow--of lubricant. A normally closedcheck valve` I8 in this passageway is opened by a plunger 20 biased toinoperative position by a return spring 22 and'operated by a handle 2tin a direction to open the valve I8.

Lubricant is admitted to the bore I6 through a hollow fitting 26 (Fig.1)threaded into thelower end of the bore. The fitting 26 is threadedinternally-adjacent its outer end as indicated at 28 to` receive theoutlet end of a Asupply conduit (not shown) through which lubricantunder relatively high-pressure may be supplied to the bore I6 fromanysuitable type lubricant p ump. .The inner end of this tting engages aperipheral bead or flange 3% on a plunger guide member 32 and forces theflange into abutting engagement with a shoulder in the bore |16 iixedlyto secure the guide member 32'in the bore. Coppergaskets 34 preferablyare located on opposite sides of the flange 30 on guide member 32 toprovide a fiuidtight seal between the bore I6 and guide member 32.

The check valve I8 seats against a valve seat 36 formed on the undersideof guide member 32. This valve, which may be of the ball type, restsupon a carrier 38 slidable in the iitting26 and of polygonal shape toallow lubricant to flow past the same. A spring 4G reacting between theunderside of the carrier 33 and a shoulder in the rltting 2G urges thecarrier in a direction to seat the valve I8. l

The valve operating plunger 20 has a reduced lower end 42 reciprocablein and guided by the guide member 32. At its upper end, which is also cfreduced size, the plunger 20 is reciprocable in and guided by a portion44 of the bore I5 of reduced diameter, and this end of the plunger isalso guided by an apertured plug 4E threaded into the upper end of thebore I6. A lubricant-tight seal is provided at this end of the bore bypacking compressed between the inner end of the plug 46 and a shoulderformed by the reduced portion 44 of the bore and including a syntheticrubberlike packing ring 48 of V-shape in cross-section, and a leather orlike washer 58.

Plunger 20 is biased to elevated or inoperative position by therelatively heavy spring 22 coniined between the inner end of the guidemember 32 and a washer 54 abutting against a shoulder intermediate theends of thev plunger. Movement of the plunger under the influence ofspring 22 is limited by a shoulder 56 adjacent the upper end of theplunger and a cooperating shoulder in the bore I6 formed by the reducedportion 44 thereof. Preferably the plunger is raised sufficiently whenit is at inoperative position to lift its lower end at least q1-2 inchabove the check valve I8 so that the latter will seat rmly under theinfluence of spring 40 and a limited amount of lost motion will beprovided between the plunger and the valve. The position to which theplunger is raised can be accurately controlled by means of a washer 58upon the plunger between the shoulder 56 on the plunger and the reducedportion 44 inthe bore i6.

Flattened areas B9 on the lower end of the plunger 20 allow lubricant toow through the guide member 32 past the plunger when the check valve I8is opened. -This lubricant flows upwardly in the space between theplungerv and bore I6 to an outlet passageway 62 in the body member I2communicating with the bore I6 adjacent its upper end.

An outlet pipe 64 is secured in outlet passageway 62 by means of abushing 66 threaded therein. On its outer end this pipe is provided witha coupler 6% for detachably connecting the control valve with alubricant-receiving fitting attached to a part to receive lubricant.

Operating handle 24 has a front wall 'I0 and spaced side anges T2 (Fig.21) between which the upper end of body member I2 is received. Theseflanges are connected at their upper ends by an integral top wall 'i4(Fig. l). The handle 24 pivots upon the opposite ends of a pin I6passing through the body member I2 on the rear side of the bore I5. Snap.rings I8 (Fig. 2) on lthe opposite ends of this pin i6 hold the handleon the pin. To prevent binding between the sides of the handle and thebody, the latter may be provided with flat bossessurrounding theaperture through which pin I6 extends, or other suitable means such aswashers may be used to accomplish the Same purpose. Return of the handleto inoperative positionis lassured by a relatively strong torsion spring80 reacting between the body member and handle.

The plunger is moved in a direction to open valve i3 when the handle 24is swung in a forward direction (toward body member I2 as seen inFig. 1) by means indicated in its entirety by the number 82in Fig. 3,including a flat breaker bar or thrust-transmitting latch member 84connected to the handle 24 by an adjusting screw 86 and an adjustmentmember or bushing 88. The adjusting screw BS has a head 90, anintermediate threaded part 92 of enlarged diameter, and reduced threadedtip 94. Screw 86 passes loosely through a vertically elongated aperture96 in a vertical flange on a bracket 98 riveted or otherwise suitablyfixed to the forward end of the latch member 84. Aperture 96 includes aportion at its upper end large enough to pass the enlarged part 92 ofthe body of the screw but not its head 90. A notch IDB in the forwardend of latch member 84 (Fig. 2) receives the head of the screw to holdthe same against turning.

The adjustment member 88 has a reduced portion |02 (Fig. 3) on one endwhich projects loosely through an aperture inthe front wall 'I0 of theoperating handle, and a shoulderl I04 to engage this front wall andlimit inward movement of the adjustment member. The enlarged part 92 ofthe adjusting screw 86 is threaded into the threaded part of a bore I06extending through the adjustment member to connect the screw andadjustment member and thus connect the latch member 84 to the operatinghandle 24.

The latch member 84 is urged away from the front wall 'I0 of the handleby a coil spring IUS reacting between a pair of dished spring retainersH0, one of which labuts against theA front flange on bracket 98, and theother of which abuts against the inner side of the front wall I0 of thehandle. Since the shoulder |04 on the adjustment member 88 limits inwardmovement of the same, and since the spring |08 is under compression atall positions of adjustment of the adjustment member 88. relative to thescrew S6, rotational adjustment-of this member upon the screw will causethe latch member 84 to be moved forwardly, or backwardly relative to thefront wall of the handle, depending on the direction the adjustmentmember is turned.

A second spring I i2 reacting between the front spring retainer II, anda spring retainer II4 secured on the inner end of the reduced part |02of the adjustment member 88 by means Aof a spring clip, more or lessrigidly holds the adjustment member 88 and adjusting screw 8G at a xedposition relative to the handle. Inother words the adjustment member isurged inwardly of the handle bjr-spring H2 :to hold its shoulder |04 inabutting engagement with the front wall I0 of the handle at all times.

Adjacent its forward end the opposite sides of the latch member 84 areengaged by a fulcrum member. HS riveted or otherwise suitably fixed tothe top wall 'i4 of the handle. On the rear end of the body member I2 ahorizontally extending breaker strip or fulcrum II8 is xedly secured.This breaker stripcooperates with the fulcrum H6l on the handle to holdthe latch member in xed position relative .to the handle and inoperative `engagement with the upper end of the plunger when the handleis at inoperative position.

This strip also cooperates with an obtusely inclined free rear end I20on the latch member 84 to release the latter ior fulcruming on the fullcrum member IIB at apredeterminedA point inthe forward stroke of thehandle-under the influence of thev thrust Aexerted-on its yunderside byplunger return spring22 through the plunger 28 so that .the latter isfreed for return to inoperative position. By adjusting thelatch memberin an endwise direction, the point in the stroke of the handle at whichthe plungeris released can be varied and thus the amount of lubricantdispensed by the valve during each operation of the handle can bevaried. In order to provide adjustability within a desired range, theparts, by means of which the plunger is operated from the handle, mustbe assembled in a deinite manner which will lnow be described.

In assembling the control valve, the adjustment member 88 (Fig. 3) andadjusting-screw 88 are first adjusted relatively to a position at whicha continuous thrust will be exerted on the plungerv 28 by the latchmember 84 throughout the stroke of the handle 2t irrespective of how farit is moved in a forward direction. This occurs. when the latch memberBfi'is moved to a position to the right of that shown in Fig. 3. Aninternally threaded bearing sleeve |22 which fits relatively loosely inthe unthreaded intermediate part of bore |86 in the adjustment member 88is then threaded upon the reduced end 94 of the adjusting screw 88 untilits inner end engages a shoulder |28 at the inner end of thethreadedportion of bore |85. It is locked in this position by screwing anexternally vthreaded plug |25 into its outer end and into abuttingengagement with the end of the adjusting screw 88.

Thereafter the adjustment member 88 is turned in a clockwise directionuntil the latch member 28 has been moved to the left far enough so thatan operating thrust of minimum duration will be exerted on the plunger20 when the handle 28 is operated before the latch member is released.IIhe duration of this thrust can be varied as desired by adjusting thelatch vmember 8d a greater or lesser distance to the left. In Fig. 3 thelatch member is shown at a position of adjustment which will give ashotof minimum volume.

After this adjustmenthas been'made, a bushing |28 which engages over thebearingV sleeve I 22 is threaded into the threaded outer end of anenlarged bore in the outer end of .the adjustment member 88 until aninternal shoulder |30 in the bushing lightly-engages the outer end ofbearing sleeve |22. An adjusting knob |32 having a knurled outer surfaceand indicia thereon to indicate the direction of rotation for increasingor decreasing the volume of the shot dispensed by the valve, is thenslipped over the outer end of the adjustment member 88. This knob islocked in position by a set screw |34 extending radially through theknob and adjustment member and into` abutting engagement with thebushing |28. The knob |32, adjustment member 88, and bushing |28 arethus locked together for movement as a unit.

By reason of the fact that the adjusting screw 88 and bearing sleeve |22move as a unit in an endwise direction relative to the adjustment member88 when it is turned by means oi the knob |22, the shoulders |24 and |30cooperating with the opposite ends ofi the bearing sleeve |22 form stopsto limit adjustment of the latch member 84 in either direction endwise.Normally four complete turns of the knob |32 are sufcient to move thelatch member from one limit in its range of lmovement to the other.

Operation yof .the dispensing valVeto-.deliver .a3

lpredetermined shot of lubricant willi'lrst bedescribed, it beingassumedthat the knob- |32 has been -set atthe `proper'position-togive'the desired shot. When thehandle 2li is rocked tol arcuatelyforwardly and downwardly, and thus tinued.

draw'the latch memb`er-84 in the same direction. Due to the fact thatthe thrust of the plunger return 'spring 22 is operative againsttheunderside of latch member 84 through plunger 20, the latch member isheld against the breaker strip fulcrum I8 and fulcrums upon the sameduring initial movement of the handle.A This depresses plunger 20 in,vopposition to its return spring 22, opening valve I8 in opposition toits closing spring 40and in opposition .to the pressure of the lubricantat the'inlet -so that lubricant ilowsto discharge pipef64.

However, at a predetermined pointin the for` ward stroke of the handle24 depending on the setting of the knob |32, the-latch member 841s drawnforward far enough to bring its inclined free end |28 into engagementwith the outer edge of the breaker stripfulcrum |I8. The inclination ofthis rear end |20 is such as thereupon kto free the latch member forrocking movement relative to its connection with the adjusting screw 86as illustrated in Fig. 4. The plunger return spring 22 acting throughplunger 28 exerts asuicient upward thrust on the underside of latchmember'8ll to rock or fulcrum it upon the rfront fulcrum |I8 far enoughto allow the plunger to 'return to inoperative position. Consequentlythe check valve I8 closes so that the flow of lubricant to dischargepipe 84 is discon- 'Ihroughout the movement of thev handle 24 theadjustment member 88 and adjusting screw 88 are held in a plane normalto .the front wall 'I0 of the handle and in extended position relativethereto by the spring I I2. Since the connection between the latchmember 84 and adjusting screw 86 allows considerable rocking and endwisemovement to occur between these parts once the inclined end |20 of thelatch member is brought into engagement with the breaker strip fulcrumH8, the handle may be moved through a complete forward stroke withoutcausing the latch member further to operate the plunger.

Upon release of the handle 24, the torsion spring 8g returns the same toinoperative posinon. Ulitil just prior to the time the handie reachesinoperative position, the latch member 84 remains in the rocked positionshown in Fig. 4 due to the fact thatits inclined rear edge |28 is wedgedagainst the breaker strip ||8 as a result of the combined effect of thethrust exerted on vits forward end by the spring |88, and the thrustexerted on its underside by the plunger return spring 22 acting throughthe plunger. Furthermore since the fulcrum member H6 on the handle ismoved arcuately upwardly and rearwardly on return movement of thehandle, it is carried rearwardly along the top side 0f the latch memberat an angle corresponding to the angle of inclination of the latchmember and thus cooperates with the plunger 2S and spring 22 in holdingthe latch member in rocked position throughout the return stroke of thehandle. During this return movement the adjacent member88 and adjustingscrew 878 lare carried arcuately upwardly and rearwardly relative toAthe andere.

wedged latch member due to the fact. that they are held in fixedposition relative to the .handle by the inner spring ||2,.the outerspring yielding to allow-the adjusting screw to return, with the handle,and the latch memberjto re-` main in rocked position. Y Y v As thehandle 24 approaches inoperative position, the front fulcrum H0 iscarried to a position substantially in the plane of the breaker stripfulcrum H8 and thereupon the thrust of spring |03 snaps the latch member84 back into operative position. n

As the latch member 84 is progressively adjusted to the right of theposition shown .in Fig. 3, the shot dispensed when thehandle 24 isoperated progressively becomes of longer duration and, therefore, ofgreater volume. At its extreme rightliand position oi adjustment, thelatch member cannot be drawn -iar enough Aforwardby forward movement ofthe handle 24 to bring its inclined rear end |20 into engagement withbreaker Ystrip H8, irrespective of how far the handle is operated. Thecheck valve |S, therefore, is held open as long as handle 24 is out ofoperative position so thatra continuous loiv of lubricant of any desiredduration may, there-VV fore, be produced at this setting of theadjustment member.

The form of the invention disclosed in Figs. 5- '1 includes a bodymember |30 (Fig. 5) having a bore |38, the diameter of which variesalong its length. Lubricant is admitted to this bore through a pipehandle |40 threaded into the lower end of the bore and connected to anysuitable source of lubricant under relatively high pressure such as aconventional lubricant compressor. A ballcheck valve |42 controls new oflubricant from the pipe handle |40 into bore |38. This valve is urged bya spring |04 into engagement with a seat |40 in a valve seat formingmember held in position against a shoulder in the bore |30 by the innerend of pipe handle |48. Gaskets |128 of suitable material are providedto prevent leakage between the valve seat forming member and bore |33. Y

A discharge pipe |50 having a coupler |52 on its outer end for makingquick detachable connection with a lubricant-receiving fitting ofconventional form is threaded into the body member |30 and communicateswith the bore |38.

Valve |132 is moved to open position by a plunger |50 reciprocable in atubular fitting |56 threaded into the enlarged upper end of bore |38. Aplunger return spring |58 housfd in tting |56 and confined between aflan |00 on the plunger, and a metal washer |02 held against a shoulderin bore |38 by the inner end oi lfitting |56, urges the plunger toinoperative position.

The metal Washer |62 also serves to hold in position packing lfl betweenthe bore and plunger forming a iluidtight seal around the plungerincluding a synthetic rubber-like sealing ring and a leather washersurrounding the plunger. Movement of the plunger is guided by thefitting l and Washer |02 and by a reduced portion |65 in the bore |38through which the plunger passes.

rThe plunger is operated by a handle |08 of generally U-shape incross-section (Fig. 6) pivotally secured to the body member litt bymeans of a pin |00 suitably held in position. The han-V dle has a irontwall |10, top wall |12 and side walls |10. To prevent binding betweenthe sides of the handle and the body member |35, the side walls |14preferably are provided with embossed flat portions |15 to space thesides from the sides of the body member. although other means may beused to prevent binding such as Washers.

Atension spring |18 (Fig. 5) having one end hooked to the discharge pipe|50 is secured at its other end toa hook |30 on the iront wall |10 ofthe handle and urges the handle to the inoperative position shown inFig. 5. It will be noted that the Vfront Wall |10 of the handle isprovided with a vertically elongated aperture |82 through which pipe |00extends. The opposite ends of this aperture engaging discharge pipe |50determine the limits' oi movement of the handle.

Referring to Figs. 5 and '7, it will be seen that the'plunger |54 isoperatively connected to the handlenll by linkage indicated in itsentirety by Athe number |84. This linkage includes a generally bellcrank shaped floating link |86 having its intermediate part pivotallysecured to the upper end or" plunger |54 by means of a pivot pin |88 andits upper end pivotally connected by means of a pin |00 to the rear endof a generally U-shaped link or yoke |92. The latter is connected to the`front wall |10 of the handle by means of an adjusting pin or screw |04passing freely through an aperture in the front wall of handle.

Adjacent its rear end, this pin |94 passes freely through the front endof link`|92 and the latter is urged to extended position relative to thepin and into abutting engagement with a nut |06 suitably locked on therear end of the pin by a spring |98 coni-med between a shoulder 200 onthe adjusting pin |94 and the front side of link |92. A second spring202 of greater resistance than spring |98 confined between the shoulder200 and the iront side |10 of the handle urges the pin land link toextended position relative to the front Wall of the handle.

Thepin |94 is adjustable in an endwise direction relative toI the handleby means of an adjusting nut 204 threaded on its outer end and engagingthe outer Side of the front wall |10 of the handle to thus limitmovement of the pin |94 under the influence of spring 202. The nut 204may have a knurled periphery and its rear side has a diametrieallyextending groove 20S (Fig. 6)v which engages diametrically oppositeembossed projections 208 (Fig. 6) in the front Wall |10 of the handlealong the periphery of the opening through which the pin passes. Thespring 202 holds nut 204 against the front side of the handle and theprojections engaging in groove 206 lock the nut at adjusted position.

A roller 2| is pivotally secured upon the pin between the arms of link|80 (Figs. 5 and 6). This roller engages the top Wall |12 of the handietoiacilitate movement of the link or yoke |92 in an endwise directionrelative toy the handle. Such movement occurs when the link is beingadjusted or when the handle is operated, as will be described later.

From the above description of the construction oi the control valvedisclosed in Figs. 5 7, it will be apparent that the handle |08, linkage|84, and plunger |54 are normally urged to the inoperative positionshown in Fig. 5 by the various springs connected thereto, while thecheck valve |42 is held in closedposition by the spring |44 and thepressure of the lubricant thereon. At this position of the parts, theaxis of the common pivot pin |90 interconnecting the link |86 and yoke|32 is on the axis of the plunger |54 or slightly to the left of theplunger axis as seen in Fig. 5, depending on Whether the control valvecommon-pivot pin |99 in the same direction. Asl

a result, link |06 is rocked on its connection |88 with the plunger |54and initially is depressed sufficiently to cause the plunger-l 54 toopen valve |42. Lubricant thereuponv flows from the pipe handle |40 tothe dischargepipe |50. l,

However, when the common axis |90 is rocked forward to a predeterminedpoint Vover center relative to the axis of plunger |54, the upward iiithrust exerted upon the linkage |84 bythe pl-unger return spring |58,and to a lesser extent the Y thrust exerted by thespring |44, aresuiiicient to cause the link Y| 92 to be forced forward on the adjustingpin |94 against the resistance of the spring |98v as shown in Fig. '7.This releases the plunger |54 for return toyinoperative position .bythev spring |59 allowing valve |42 to close. VFlow of lubricant to thedischarge pipe |50 is thus cut off irrespective of whether or not thehandle is moved further in its forward stroke because the spring |93will continue to yield during any further forward movement of thehandle. i

When the handle |68 is released, the spring |18 returns the same'to theinoperative position shown in Fig. 5. During this return movement. thecommon axis |90 between the links |85 and yoke |92 is moved upwardly andbackwardly. The loose connection between the adjusting pin |94 and yoke|92 permits such lost motion as is necessary to allow yoke |92 to bereturned to its initial position while the plunger is in inoperativeposition, and the tension in the spring |98 insures return of the yoketo initial position as the handle returns to inoperative position.

To insure proper operation of the control valve,

spring 202 shouldexert a greater thrust on the adjusting pin |94 thanspring |98 sol that the adjusting pin is always held at extendedposition-relative to the front wall' |70 of the handle. This insuresthat the plunger |54 will always be released at the same point in theforward stroke of theV handle for a particular setting of the adjustingnut 204.

From the description of the operation of the control valve it will beapparent that the length of time the valve is held open duringl aforward stroke of the handle |09` can be decreased. by turning theadjusting nut 204 in a direction to move the adjusting pin to the left,as seen in Fig. 5, and can be increased by turning the adjusting nut ina direction to move the adjusting pin to the right. At the extremeright-hand positionl of adjustment of the pin |94, the common pivot|90'in the linkagel |34 cannot be carried forward far enough during theforward stroke of the handle to bring it to the point at which the link|36 will rock relative toi the yoke |92 as a result of the force exertedthereon by the plunger and thus the latter will not be' released eventhough the handle is moved to the limit of its forward stroke. At thissetting lubricant will flow continuously while the handle is' inoperated position.

' The adjusting nut 204 is lockedl at adjusted position due to the. factthat' its groove 200- en- Same.

q with an intermediate part of bore 2|4.

gages the locking projections 208 (Fig. 6) on the v front wall of thehandle and is held in this position by spring 202. It is also to benoted that during movement of the yoke |92 relative to adjusting pin|94, the roller 2|0 tends tor reduce friction between the linkage andthe handle.

The third modication of the invention includes a body member 2|2 havinga bore 2|4 of nonuniform diameter extending through the Lubricant isadmitted to the bore 2|4 througha pipe handle 2|6 threaded at one endinto the lower end ofthe bore 2|4 and connected at its other end to thedischarge .cancun-mot Y shown) of any suitable lubricant pump supplyinglubricant at constant pressure.

Flow of lubricant through the bore 2|4 is controlled by a ball checkvalve 2| 8 vwhich seats against a valve seat 220 formed in a guidemember 222 held in position againsta shoulder in bore 2 i4 by the innerend of pipe handle 2 i6. Preferably. copper gaskets 224 are provided toform a iiuidtight seal between the valve seat forming member and bore2|4. The valve ZIB-is urged to closed position by coil spring 220confined'between the ball valve 2 |8 and a washer 228 resting upon ashoulder in the pipe handle 2| 6.

Lubricant is discharged from the bore 2 I4 through a discharge pipe 230threaded into Vthe body member 2|2 and communicating at one end On Vitsouter end the discharge pipe has a coupler 232 of conventionalconstruction for making detachable connection with a lubricant-receivingfitting connected to a part requiring lubrication.

Check valve 2|8,Y is opened by means of a valve operating plunger 234normally urged to inoperative position by a spring 236 confined betweenthe inner end of guide member 222 and a ridge or flange 238 on. theplunger 234. This flange engages aV shoulder 240 in the bore 2 4 tolimit movement of the plunger under the iniluence of spring 236.

. The lower-end of plunger 234 reciprocates in a relatively closeyiitting bore in the guide member 222 and has chordal flattened areas242 past which the lubricant ows when the valve 2|8 is open. Preferablytheplunger 234 is retracted far enough byspring 236 to lift its tip outof engagement with the checkvalve 2 I8 when the plunger is ininoperative position sov that the plunger does A' not interfere withclosing of the valve.

The upper end of the plunger'234 is guided by areduced portion ofthebore 2|4. A :duidtight seal is formed between the upper end of theplunger andV this bore by packing 244 including a'synthetic rubber-likesealing ring and a leather washer surrounding the plunger and held inthe enlarged upper end of bore 2| 4 by means of a plug 24S-threadedintothis end of the bore.

The plunger. 234 is operated by a handle 248 which has a front wall 2.50(Fig. 9), side flanges l2152', and a top wall 254 (Fig. 8). This handleis pivotally secured upon av pin 250 extending Y through the body 2 |72vat the rear side of .the bore vided,` toprevent binding between the bodymembei: and sides'of the handle.

The front wen 25o of the narici@ hase verticauy i elongated flangedaperture 26B through which the discharge pipe 23B extends, and the endsof which determine the limits of movement of the handle 248. Preferablya spring 262 is provided to bias the handle to inoperative position. Y

Handle 246 and the upper end of plunger 234 are operatively connected bylinkage indicated in its entirety by the number 264 including rear andfront generally U-shaped yokes 266 and 268, respectively (Fig. 9), andan adjusting screw 21o passing freely through an aperture in the frontwall of the handle and threaded into the forward end of the forwardadjusting yoke 268. Yokes 265 and 268 are pivotally interconnected bypin 212, the outer ends of which ride in horizontal slots 214 (Fig. 9)in the flanges 252 on the handle. Secured upon a pin 216 (Fig. 8)carried by the arms of link 266 is a roller 218 which is free to rotateon this pin.

The adjusting screw 210 which has ay knurled knob 266 on its outer endfor engaging the outer side of the front wall 250 of the handle, isthreaded at its inner end into a web 282 connecting the opposite sidesof front yoke 268 thus to form a connection between the front side ofthe handle and the yokes 266 and 268. A spring 284 on the screw 210biases the side of the handle carrying the pin 212 toward the rear ofslots 214 and the roller 218 toward the rear edge of the plunger 234.

Wound upon the pin 212 is a torsion spring 286. This spring reactsbetween the top wall 254 of the handle and the lower edge of the yoke266, and urges the free end of the latter into engagement with the topwall of the handle so that the roller 218 Ais held in engagement withthe top end of plunger 234 when the handle 248 is in the inoperativeposition shown in Fig. 8.

The body member 2 l 2 and pipe handle 2 l 6 form a handle for thecontrol valve by means of which it may be grasped. Assuming the knob 280has been set to produce a shot rather than a continuous ow in order tooperate the valve, the handle 24B is pivoted toward the body member 292.Since the linkage 264 pivots with the handle upon the axis of pin 256,the roller 218 is moved arcuately forwardly and downwardly relative tothe inoperative position shown in Fig. 8, thus forcing the plunger downand opening valve 2l8 so that lubricant flows past the same into thedischarge pipe 230.

When the parts are in inoperative position the axis of the roller 218 issubstantially normal to the axis of the plunger and somewhat to the rearof the axis of the pin 212 interconnecting yokes 266 and 268.Furthermore, the yoke 266 is held in locked position against the upperwall of the handle by the torsion spring 2186. When the handle 248 isrocked forwardly from this position, the axis of roller 218 and pin 212are moved forward relative to the axis of the plunger 234. As the rollerreaches the forward edge of the plunger 234, the wedging effect ofplunger 234 on the roller resulting from the force of the springs 225and 236 tending to return plunger 234, overcomes the force of torsionspring 286 tending to hold the yoke 266 in locked position. 'Thiswedging effect is suicient to rock the yoke 266 clockwise, as seen inFig. 10, thereby breaking the driving connectionbetween the plunger 234and handle 248 so that the plunger returns to inoperative positionirrespective of how much further the handle is rocked forward. Thereuponthe check valve 218 closes, discontinuing the ow of lubricant to thedischarge pipe 230.

yoke toward the rear The tension in spring 262 is suiicient to returnthehandle to inoperative position when it is released, in spite of thefact that the roller remains wedged against the front edge of theplunger during this return movement. Because of this, the yoke 266 isrocked further in a counterclockwise direction against the resistance oftorsion spring 286 as the handle returns to inoperative position. Whenthe handle reaches inoperative position, the lower side of roller 216 isbrought into the plane of the upper end of plunger 234, and theV spring286 thereupon rocks yoke 266 counterclockwise to bring the roller 218back into operative relation with the upper end of the plunger thusresetting the control valve to deliver another shot of lubricant.

By 'adjusting the screw 210 in a direction to draw the linkage 264forwardly (to the left in Fig. 8), the size of the shot delivered eachtime the handle is operated will be reduced, whereas, when the linkageis adjusted to the right, the size of the shot is increased, suiflcientfreedom for adjustment being provided toallow the linkage 264 and roller218 to move far enough in a rearward direction so that the roller willnot be moved to the forward edge of the plunger 234, irrespective of howfar the handle 24B is operated. A ow of lubricant which continues for aslong as the handle is `out of inoperative position may thus be dispensedfrom the control valve.

It is to be noted that in all forms of the invention the plungerspreferably are lifted high enough when they are in inoperative positionso that their lower ends are spaced approximately als inch above thecheck valves. No interference with tight closing of these valves,therefore, arises from this source.

In the normal operation of the control valve set to deliver apredetermined shot of lubricant, opening of the valve for the sameinterval of time each time the handle is operated, so that shots ofsubstantially equal volume are dispensed upon successive operations ofthe handle, is assured due to the fact that the pressure of thelubricant, which is relatively high, offers considerable resistance toopening of the check valves when they are in closed position. Because ofthe relatively large force which must be applied initially to the handleto overcome this resistance and the instantaneous reduction inresistance to movement of the handle which follows opening of the valve,the handle will coniplete its forward stroke with a snap action, oncethe check valve opens. This insures operation of the handle through acomplete stroke whenever it is operated far enough to open the checkvalve in the body of the control member. Because of this snap action theplunger completes its movementin substantially the same time each timethe handle is operated so that the valve will be held open forsubstantially the same interval each time the handle is operated andthus will cause shots of substantially the same volume to be dispensedupon successive operations of the handle. It is also to be noted that asa result of the sudden reduction in resistance to movement of. thehandle incident to opening of the check valves that it is impossible tooperate the handle only far enough to open the valve and then to holdthe handle at this position. Consequently delivery of a single shot of apredetermined volume each time the handle is operated is insured whenthe control valve is set for that purpose.

From the foregoing description of the invention it will be noted that animproved control valve has been provided which may be set to deliver asingle shot of lubricant each time it is operated, or to provide a ilowof lubricant which continues for as long -as the handle is held inoperated position. Furthermore, the valve may readily be adjusted forcontinuous ow or single shot delivery, and the adjusting means includesmeans for varying the volume of the shot delivered by thevalve when itisset for onev shot operation.

While I have shown and described preferred embodiments oi my invention,it will be apparent that numerous variations and modications thereof maybe made without departing from the underlying principles of theinvention. I, therefore, desire, by the following claims, to includewithin the scope of the invention all such variations and modificationsby which substantially the results of my invention may be obtainedthrough the use of substantially the same or equivalent means.

I claim:

1. A lubricant control valve comprising a body member having apassageway therein with an outlet adapted to be connected to a part tobe lubricated and an inlet adapted to be connected to a source 'oflubricant, a check valve to prevent ilow of lubricant through saidpassageway, an operating handle, a valve operating plunger, means tooperate said plunger for opening said valve, and means to rock saidoperating means in a plunger operating direction when said handle isoperated including means relative to which said plunger operating meansisV movable to inoperative position, means including spring means tooppose movement of` said plunger operating means to inoperativeposition, a connection between the handle and the spring means andplunger operating means simultaneously to move the latter in a directionto operate said plunger and to shift the position of the same and saidspring relative to the plunger, and means to bias said plunger forreturn movement eiective upon predetermined movement ofv the plungeroperating means and spring relative to the handle to move said plungeroperating means to inoperative position in opposition to said spring andthereby to release said plunger for return to inoperative position.

2. A lubricantl dispensing valve comprising a body member having alubricant passageway therein with an outlet adapted to be connected to apart to be lubricated and an inlet adapted i to be connected to a sourceof lubricant under pressure, a check valve to prevent ilow of lubricantthrough said passageway, resilient means biasing the check valve toclose the'latter, a valve operating plunger biased to inoperativeposition, an operating handle, means to establish an operative drivingconnection between the handle and the plunger for moving the latter in adirection to open said valve when said handle is operated includingdelayed action means to release said plunger for return to inoperativeposition during the stroke of said handle, and means to adjust the pointin the stroke of said handle at which said delayed action means becomeseiiective to release the plunger to vary the length of time said valveis held open during a complete stroke of the handle.

3. A lubricant dispensing valve comprising a body member having apassageway therein with an outlet adapted to be 'connected to apart tolbe lubricated and an inlet adapted to be connected to a source oflubricant, a check valve to prevent flow of lubricant through saidpassageway, a valve operating plunger, an operating handle, means toestablish a driving connection between the handle and plunger includingmeans rockable relative to said handle to break theV drivng connectionwith said plunger, and means to lock said rockable means against suchrocking movement during a portion of the stroke of the handle, means vonthe handle to move said rockable means and locking means relatively inresponse to movement of said handle to release the rockable means forrocking movement relative to the handle at a predetermined point intheplunger operating stroke of the handle for breaking the drivingconnection to the plunger.

4. A lubricant dispensing valve comprising a body member having apassageway therein with an outlet adapted to be 4connected to a part tobe lubricated andan inlet adapted to be connected to a source oflubricant, a check valve to prevent flow of lubricant through'saidpassageway, a valve operating plunger, an operating handle, means toestablish'a driving connection between the handle and plunger includingmeans rockable relative to said handle tol break the driving connectionwith said plunger, means to lock said rockable meansagainst such rockingmovement, said rockable means and locking means being movable relativelyin response to movement of said handle to release the rockable means forrocking movement at a predetermined point in the plunger operatingstroke of the handle, yieldable means effective through saidj plunger torock said rockab-le means relative to said handle when the latter ismoved to said predetermined pio-int to release said plunger for returnto inoperative position, yieldable means to bias said handle for returnmovement, and a spring to return said rockable means to its normalposition when said handlereturns to inoperative position.

5. A valve to'control dispensation of lubricant or the like, comprisinga :body member having a lubricant passageway therein with a dischargeoutlet and an inlet for lubricant under pressure, a normally closedcheck valve in said passageway, a valve operating plunger, yieldablemeans to bias said plunger to inoperative position, an operating handle,a latch member adapted 'to extend across the axis of said plunger,

fulcrum means to `engage the latch member adjacent one of its ends,means on the other side of the axis of said plunger to cause said latchvmember to fulcrum on said fulcrum means in a direction to operate saidplunger for opening said valve when the handle is operated, andcooperating surfaoes on the fulcrurn means and the end of the latchmember engaged thereby brought into cooperative relation at apredetermined point in the movement of said handle to free said latchmember for independent movement whereby said phmger is released forreturn to inoperative position.

6. A valve to control dispensation of lubricant or the like, comprisinga body member having a lubricant Apassageway therein with a dischargeoutlet and an inlet for lubricant under pressure, a normally closedcheck valve in said passageway, a valve operating plunger, yieldablemeans to bias said plunger to inoperative position, an operating handle,a latch member adapted to eX- tend across th'eaxis of saidplunger, meansproviding a fulcrum forone end of said latch member, means to cause saidlatch. member to rock upon said rulcrum and operate said plunger to opensaid valve when the handle is operated, cooperating surfaces on saidfulcrum means and the end of said latch member engaged thereby broughtinto cooperative engagement at a predetermined point in the forwardmovement of the handle to free said latch member for rocking movementrelative to the handle and thereby to release said plunger for return toinoperative position, and means to effect relative adjustment betweensaid fulcrum means and said latch member for varying the point in thestroke of said handle at which the latch member is released and therebyvarying the period said valve is held open when the handle is operated.

7. A valve to control dispensation of lubricant or the like as definedin claim 6, wherein the latch member and fulcrum means have a range ofrelative adjustment sufficient at one limit to prevent said latch memberfrom being freed for movement relative to said connection throughout themovement of the handle so that a continuous now of lubricant will bedispensed during operation of the handle when the adjustable means isadjusted to said limit.

A valve to control dispensation of lubricant or the like, comprising abody member having a passageway therein with a discharge outlet and aninlet for lubricant under pressure, a normally closed check valve insaid passageway, a valve operatingr plunger, yieldable means to biassaid plunger to inoperative position, an operating handle, a latchmember adapted to extend across the axis of said plunger, meansproviding a fulcrum for one end of said latch member, means engageablewith the other end of said latch member to cause said latch member torock upon said fulcrum and operate said plunger when the handle isrocked in a forward direction and to move endwise relative to thefulcrum, cooperating surfaces on said fulcrum means and the iree end ofsaid latch member brought into cooperative relation at a predeterminedpoint in the forward movement of said handle, at least one of saidsurfaces being inclined in a direction to free said latch member forindependent rocking movement whereby said plunger is released for returnto inoperative position, said cooperating surfaces cooperating when thehandle moves in a return direction to wedge said latch member in rockedposition, and yieldable means energized when said handle moves in areturn direction to snap said latch member into operative position asthe handle reaches inoperative position.

9. A valve to control dispensation of lubricant or the like, comprisinga body member having a passageway therein with an outlet and an inletfor lubricant under pressure, a normally closed |check valve in saidpassageway, a plunger to open said valve, a rockable operating handle, apair of links pivotally interconnected at one of their ends, one of saidlinks being pivotally connected at its other end to said plunger, a lostmotion connection between the other end of the second of said links andsaid handle for moving the common axis laterally and axially relative tothe axis of the plunger when the handle is rocked to cause said plungerto be operated, and means to bias said plunger for return movementeffec'- tive through said plunger to cause lost motion to occur betweensaid linkage and connection suilicient to release said plunger forreturn to inoperative position when the common axis is ioved to apredetermined lateral position.

10. A valve to control dispensation of lubricant or the like, comprisinga body member having a passageway therein with an outlet and an inletfor lubricant under pressure, a normally closed check valve in saidpassageway, a plunger to open said valve, a rockable operating handle, apair of links pivotally interconnected at one of their ends, one of saidlinks being pivotally connected at its other end to said plunger, a lostmotion connection between the other end of the second of said links andsaid handle for moving the common axis laterally and axially relative tothe axis of the plunger when the handle is rocked for causing saidplunger to be operated, means to bias said plunger for return movementeffective through the plunger to cause lost motion to occur between saidlinkage and connection suicient to release vsaid plunger for return toinoperative position, and means to adjust said links to varyv theposition of said common axis laterally relative to the axisof theplunger and thereby to vary the point in the stroke of said handle atwhich lost motion occurs between the links and the connection with saidhandle.

l1. A valve to control dispensation of lubricant or the like, comprisinga body member having a passageway therein with an outlet and an inletfor lubricant under pressure, a normally closed check valve in saidpassageway, a plunger to open said valve, a rockable operating handle, apair of links pivotally interconnected at one of their ends, one of saidlinks being pivotally connected at its other end to said plunger, meansto connect the other end of the second link to said handle includingmeans normally holding said linkage in operative relation with theplunger effective to move said common axis in a direction to cause anoperating thrust to be imparted to said plunger when the handle isrocked in a forward direction and to cause the position of said commonaxis to be shifted laterally relative to the plunger, means to bias saidplunger for return movement effective when the common axis of saidlinkage is moved to a predetermined lateral position by movement of thehandle to move said linkage to inoperative position and release theplunger for return movement, and yieldable means energized by movementof said linkage to inoperative position to return the same to operativerelation with the plunger when the handle is returned to inoperativeposition.

12. A valve to control dispensation of lubricant or the like, comprisinga body member having a passageway therein with an outlet and an inletfor lubricant under pressure, a normally closed check valve in saidpassageway, a plunger to open said valve, a rockable operating handle,means to operate said plunger when saidhandle is rocked includinglinkage having a part engageable with said plunger, means forming a lostmotion connection between said handle and linkage, spring means biasingsaid linkage in a direction to take up lost motion for rendering saidconnection eifective to move the linkage in a direction to operate saidplunger when the handle is rocked and to move the position of saidlinkage transversely relative to the plunger, and means to bias saidplunger for return movement effective when the linkage is moved to apredetermined transverse position relative to the plunger to cause lostmotion to occur between the linkage and handle whereby said plunger isreleased for return to inoperative position, said spring means 17 takingup lost motion between the linkage and handle when the latter isreturned to inoperative position.

13. A valve to control dispensation of lubricant or the like, comprisinga body member having a passageway therein with an outlet and an inletfor lubricant under pressure, a normally closed check valve in saidpassageway, a plunger to open said valve, a rockable operating handle, alink rockable relative to said handle, means carried by said linkoperatively to engage. said plunger when the link is at one position,yieldable means to bias said link to said position, and means connectingsaid link and handle for rocking said link with said handle to cause themeans engaging said plunger to be moved axially when the handle isrocked and to move said plunger in a direction to open said valve andsimultaneously to be moved transversely of the plunger, and means tobias said plunger for return movement effective when the means engagingsaid plunger is moved to a predetermined position transversely of theplunger to rock said link in opposition to its biasing means in adirection to release the plunger for return to inoperative position,said link biasing means being arranged to yield further while the linkand the means engaging said plunger are moved toward operative positionrelative to said plunger by return movement of said handle.

14. A lubricant dispensing valve, comprising a body member having apassageway therein with an outlet adapted to be connected to a part tobe lubricated and an inlet adapted to be connected to a source oflubricant, a check valve to prevent flow of lubricant through thepassageway, a valve operating plunger to open the check valve, anoperating handle rockable on the body member, a thrust memberV rockableinto operative position between the handle and the plunger to operatethe plunger when the handle is rocked,

means to hold the thrust member in operative position duringpredetermined initial movement of the handle, means on the handle tomove the thrust member transversely with respect to the plunger tocondition the thrust member for rocking movement out of its operativeposition after predetermined further movement of the handle, and meansbiasing the plunger for return movement to rock the thrust member out ofoperative position after said further movement.

15. A valve to control the dispensing of lubricant or the like,comprising a body member having a passageway therein with an outlet andan finlet for lubricant under pressure, a check valve in the passageway,resilient means urging the check valve to closed position, a plunger toopen the valve, an operating handle rockable on the body member, athrust member to connect the plunger with the handle for operating theplunger to open the check valve during predetermined initial movement ofthe handle, means connecting the thrust member to the handle for movingthe thrust member transversely in a predetermined direction with respectto the plunger to release the latter after predetermined furthermovement of the handle, and adjusting means on the handle to shift thelast mentioned means transversely in a direction opposite thepredetermined direction to provide continuous operation of the plungerduring said further movement of the handle.

FRANCIS C. PARADISE.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,996,489 Phillips Apr. 2, 1935 2,397,103 Haberstump Mar. 26,1946 2,399,147 Schweisthal Apr. 23, 1946

